Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the expression levels of Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Subfamily B2 (LILRB2) and Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1 (APE1) and the pathological characteristics in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, as well as their predictive value for prognosis. METHODS: Serum levels of LILRB2 and APE1 were analyzed in CRC patients with varying pathological characteristics. The associations between LILRB2 and APE1 serum levels and patient prognosis was evaluated, and factors influencing prognosis were identified. RESULTS: Patients with high LILRB2 expression exhibited a significantly lower survival rate than those with low expression, and the same trend was observed for APE1 expression (both P < 0.001). Univariate Cox analysis revealed that expression levels of LILRB2 and APE1, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis (LNM) were associated with CRC prognosis. Multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that high expression levels of LILRB2 and APE1, advanced TNM stage, and the presence of LNM were independent risk factors impacting CRC prognosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Abnormal expression levels of LILRB2 and APE1 are associated with age, tumor diameter, TNM stage, and LNM in CRC patients. Elevated expression of these markers predicts a poorer prognosis.